Lionel Bart’s Oliver! at Upchurch Village Hall - 1973

The Cast of Lionel Bart’s Oliver! performed at Upchurch Village Hall in 1973.

Just after building contractor E.C. Gransden Ltd had completed the village hall extension (Stage, under stage storage, meeting room etc) I was approached to organise an evening of entertainment to celebrate it’s opening and a committee was formed.

The original concept producing a concert using local talent was very quickly over taken by enthusiasm for producing a shortened version of the Musical Oliver! which was then showing on the London stage.

The new stage was transformed with foot and spot lights, scenery and various effects for the big night by a dedicated and enthusiastic team led by Dick Borley, Vincent Webb and John Uglow.

The first half featured performances from members of the ‘The Upstarts’ drama group, notably John Tamsett and Mike Brady who were very funny, and musical items from other artists including children from the Leslie Nunn School of Dancing. The second half however was devoted to the performance of Oliver! which was a resounding success and destined to be repeated again in future years.

Lionel Bart’s Oliver!

The Cast:

The Beadle - Alec New
Oliver - Andrew Jacobs
Artful Dodger - Mark Veale
Fagin - Bryan Veale
Nancy - Evelyn Veale
Children of the Workhouse, Workhouse staff, Fagin’s Gang - Choristers and adult members of the Choir of St. Mary The Virgin, Upchurch.
Accompanist - Doris Rider

Lighting - Vincent Webb
Stage Manager - Richard Borley
Props and Scenery - Pam Borley John Uglow

Producer and Musical Director Bryan Veale

Bryan Veale

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The Upchurch Village Sign by David Wood

Village signs are often displayed in a prominent part of the locality such as in the village centre or on the green showing different aspects of the community.  Features on these signs show historical or cultural images related to the village. The sign is usually made of wood or metal mounted on a wooden post with the village name clearly displayed. King Edward VII started the tradition when he asked all the villages on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk to erect village signs during his reign. He thought this would aid motorists and add an extra feature to the estate. After this more villages across England erected village signs as the trend became popular.

The idea of a village sign in Upchurch arose to mark the centenary of the Parish Council from 1894 to 1994. In the May 1992 edition of the Gabriel village magazine residents were asked to submit ideas to the Parish Council about how to enhance the corner of Horsham Lane and The Street. These were assessed then In December 1992 local resident and graphic designer Fred Richards from Wetham Green was commissioned to interpret the ideas for the design of a village sign. He later designed village signs for Bredhurst and Eastchurch.

Photos courtesy of Kim Taylor - Beryl Richards - AKN/KRN.

Fred first produced a set of visual ideas, one was chosen then a finished drawing made. Local builders E.C. Gransden Ltd produced a three dimensional model which Fred supervised and then hand painted after it had been cast in aluminium. E.C. Gransden Ltd also produced the post and its metal surround then erected the sign in the village centre opposite the church in Horsham Lane. Finally, a special unveiling ceremony took place in the summer of 1994. Amongst those who attended were the Mayor of Swale, Parish Council Chairman Wendy Moppett, Derek Gransden of E.C. Gransden Ltd and Fred Richards. The sign was erected on the corner of The Street and Horsham Lane so that it could be clearly seen by motorists and people passing through the village.

Parish Council clerk Pat New had earlier complimented Fred Richards on the finished sign in a letter written to him dated 29^th July, 1993:

“I have heard nothing but complimentary remarks regarding its design and execution (with only secondhand complaints about a waste of ratepayer’s money!) and the Council are very satisfied with the vastly enhanced appearance of the corner.”

The Upchurch sign includes colourful images of the church, a sailing barge and pottery surrounded by fruit and leaves, symbols of the village from the past and present. Under the pictorial design is the name ‘Upchurch’ in gold lettering on a black band with a general background of pale blue.

In addition to the sign the Parish Council also had the burial ground fenced in and part of The Paddock kerbed on the Chaffes Lane side near The Street. A centenary celebration in the form of a fete took place in The Paddock on September 10^th 1994. Documents and photographs related to the history of the Parish Council were exhibited in the former Infant’s School along with the launch of the Woodruff Diaries, based upon the writings of former Upchurch vicar John Woodruff who served the village during the early mid-19^th century.

The Upchurch village sign is now an important feature that can be clearly seen in the village centre and has only been repainted once since it was erected in 1994.

David Wood was born and raised in Upchurch and is able to write from personal experience about many people and aspects of the village and of changes that have taken place over the years making ‘Memories of Upchurch’ a very readable book and a detailed historical study of the village. David's book ‘Memories of Upchurch’ is available direct from David at: david3702001@yahoo.co.uk or from us here at Upchurch Matters. Price £12 + £3.50 postage and packing.

David Wood

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Rivers Restaurant Autumn Party Night at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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The Rivers Restaurant Wedding Fair at Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Upchurch River Valley Golf Course
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Look Out For The 327 Bus Service Questionnaire - Coming Through Your Door Soon!

Following a well attended public meeting on the 26th of August in Upchurch Village Hall regarding recent changes to the 327 Bus Service for Upchurch and Lower Halstow, Kent County Councillors Lee Burgess, Roger Truelove and Mike Baldock have prepared a residents consultation survey in order that they can make proposals to Chalkwell Coach Hire for a more satisfactory and usable Bus Service for the residents of both villages and one that will best reflect the needs of the local people.

Councillors will be out delivering the residents surveys over the next week or so.

Councillor Mike Baldock

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Upchurch Parish Council Report - September 2015

The monthly Meeting of the Parish Council took place on Thursday 3^rd September at the Village Hall where 6 Councillors were present and 5 members of the public.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th August 2015 – It was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Masson that they be accepted as a true record. All agreed.

Public Time– Bus timetable public meeting - A resident conveyed his thanks to Mr Quy for arranging the public meeting regarding the changes to the Chalkwell bus timetable and reported that it had been well attended. Mr Quy thanked the Parish Council for their support and Mr Apps for chairing the meeting. Mr Quy also conveyed thanks to Ward Cllr Wright for his contributions and for arranging for a representative from Chalkwell buses to attend. Cllr Tucker thanked Mr Quy for putting together the meeting in such a short space of time and advised that the Parish Council would like to assist in any way they can as Mr Quy pursues the matter further. It was reported that Chalkwell buses were unlikely to change the timetable now due to lack of profit made on the previous timetable with many buses running almost empty. Cllr Tucker reported that there is a petition in the Post Office if anyone would like to sign it. At the bus timetable public meetng Ward Cllr Baldock agreed to obtain a consensus from residents to approach Chalkwell with. This could take up to six months to progress. Rubbish in the village – A resident asked if the Clerk had received any response from the leaseholders of the flats in Forge Lane regarding the rubbish outside of them. The Clerk reported that she had not received a response but would continue to pursue this. Pot hole Wallbridge Lane– A resident reported a large pothole in Wallbridge Lane. Cllr Tucker advised that this had already been reported to KCC by the Parish Council and that residents could report this themselves via the KCC website. Precept – A resident requested that the Parish Council consider using the S137 budget for tidying the village centre when calculating the next precept.

Correspondence – Bus Timetable Meeting – Further to the discussion in public time, it was reported that three Councillors attended the public meeting which had a very strong turnout and a lot of support. Cllr Tucker reported that Ward Cllr Baldock will be carrying out a consensus from residents to approach Chalkwell with. This could take up to six months to progress. KALC Training events – The Clerk had received notification of upcoming training events for the Parish Council.

Casual Vacancies – As no responses have been received for the two vacancies for Parish Councillors it was agreed that a campaign should commence in order to promote the positions in a more informative way with regards to what the Parish Council do and the projects that are ongoing and upcoming. It was suggested that a leaflet drop would be a good way forward for this.

Planning – 15/506513/FULL – Tranquillity Otterham Quay Lane – The Council saw no reason to object to this application but requested that the design addresses the two reasons for refusal to the previous application in 2013. It also raised concerns with regards to the impact on highways with the access to the two dwellings on a fast and narrow road. 15/501109/REM – Four Gun Field, Otterham Quay Lane – The Council had submitted an objection to the revised application based on the comments made on the original application. Other Planning Matters – APP/V2255/Z/3129078- Greens Motor Group Garage, London Road Cllr Tucker reported that the Council had no further comments to those made on the initial application with regards to this appeal. APP/2255Y/15/3067567- Pond Farm, Newington – Cllr Tucker reported that the Clerk had written to the Planning Inspectorate to reiterate our objections to this application.

Defibrillator – The Clerk advised that she had met with the W.I and the owners of Snaffles and it had been agreed for the defibrillator to be placed on the wall of Snaffles with the electricity supply coming from the street light attached to the building. Cllr Arnold will liaise with the electricity suppliers regarding this.

Recreation Ground - Cllr Denny reported that there are loose fence posts on Chaffes Lane and some of the wire is becoming detached from the posts. The Clerk will contact the contractors regarding this.

Paddock - Cllr Denny and the Clerk will arrange for a notice to be placed on the Paddock gate with the Clerk’s contact details. Cllr Tucker reported that the play area inspection report had been received and that several high risk areas had been identified. In order to resolve the issues, the rubber matting would need removing, which would result in further issues and potentially the play equipment having to be removed completely. A sub-committee was set up in order to speak with residents to obtain their views as to whether the play equipment should be replaced. To replace the equipment would cost a considerable amount of money which in turn would unfortunately increase the precept.  

Bus Shelter – Cllr Masson reported that he has passed a site plan to the Clerk. The Clerk will forward this to Swale planning in order to progress with the pre planning meeting.

Burial Ground and Churchyard – Cllr Rose submitted the proposed changes to the Burial Ground rules and regulations to the members and all agreed that the Council should proceed with these. The Clerk will send the updated rules and regulations to all plot holders and Funeral Directors. St Mary’s Church Clock – The Clerk is still awaiting a date for the clock to be serviced. Burial Ground Gardener meeting The Clerk reported that she and Cllr Rose had met with the gardener to discuss the non-compliant graves and work has started on the graves of which relatives are no longer contactable. Burial Ground steps update – The Clerk has ordered a notice for the Burial Ground gate warning that the steps and pathway are uneven.

Highways – Cllr Arnold reported that there are now four faulty street lights and therefore he will contact the contractors to get these repaired.

Other Matters not yet arising – December meeting – It was agreed that this should be moved back to the original date of 3^rd December following the cancellation of the Pantomime.

Please note the full Minutes from the Meeting can be seen on the Upchurch Parish Council website.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on 1^st October at 7:30pm in the Village Hall.

Julia Cura, Clerk to the Parish Council.

Tel: 01634 363906

Email: clerk@upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk

Website: www.upchurchpc.kentparishes.gov.uk